Tag: travel

Douthat State Park – “Tonic for the Mind, Body and Spirit”

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Date: 10/24/25-10/26/2025, Temperature: Highs of approx 60F Lows approx 33F, mostly sunny.

The view from on top of Carter Mountain Orchard, in Charlottesville, Virginia. A good pit stop for apples, apple cider and donuts.

“Virginia State Parks are a tonic for the mind, body and spirit”. This creedo is printed on Virginia State Park trail guides, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve heard so many great things about the Virginia State Park cabins but I have never actually stayed in one. They are also known to book up very quickly so I reserved a cabin at Douthat State Park about a year in advance. Situated near the Virginia and West Virginia border, Douthat, is one of Virginia’s oldest state parks, featuring miles of fishing streams, a 50 acre lake and loads of trails.

The jewel of Douthat State Park is a clear, 50 acre mountain lake. The lake is fed by a Wilson Creek, a park of the mighty Jackson River watershed. We brought along our Nova Craft Prospector canoe to paddle the glassy waters. It’s remarkable how noisy day to day life can be. You don’t really notice such a thing, until you sit on an empty lake, hearing a woodpecker rap on a tree, miles away. I do think such experiences are important to our soul and nervous system, to help reset and get away from the bustle of day to day life. As someone who sees dozens of patients per day, it is such a welcoming feeling.

The kids particularly loved the trout fishing streams at Douthat State Park. They are stocked with rainbow trout, and the kids spent hours just casting and reeling. The leaves were at peak color change, the wind was sharp and crisp and the falling leaves around us made for such a mesmerizing backdrop. It hadn’t rained in several days so the water was particularly clear. The slim outline of the trout were visible underneath the shadows cast but moving leaves. This perpetuated the excitement of the children.

We spent time exploring the trails, bike trails, cabins, and the well stocked camp stores. The kids also loved the cabin as well. Douthat State park was thoughtful enough to provide a bundle of firewood waiting for us at the cabin. I suspect that most visitors don’t use all of their wood, because there was an accumulation of it at our cabin. We put it to good use, especially when it dipped near freezing at night. I brought my old Wetterlings axe to split it into kindling. I can’t believe I’ve had that axe now for over 15 years. Still working just as good.

The cabins do not have wireless internet or cellular service, and this is a great thing. We filled our time, reading, painting, photographing the landscapes, enjoying the wood burning fireplace and playing board games.

Exploring small towns in the Virginia mountains, is always time worth well spent. Douthat State Park is only 15 minutes away from Clifton Forge where we had lunch at Jack Mason’s tavern and picked up some local provisions. Their warm food and dark ales were especially welcoming on a chilly fall day. On the way home, we stopped in Lexington, Virginia for coffee and picked up some books at the “The Bookers”. THis quaint book store is like a scene out of Harry Potter, the books were stacked up to the ceiling and in every which direction. Very cool book store.

Jack Mason’s tavern was very warm and welcoming
exploring a maze of books in “The Bookers” in Lexington, VA.

Douthat State Park is simply beautiful. The park is well laid out, the facilities are accessible and clean and the cabin was stellar. There are plethora of activities to partake, trails to hike, streams to fish, paths to bike, a lake to paddle, not to mention the excellent visitor center and camp stores and structured activities – an outdoor enthusiast could easily spend a week here. Thank you to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and to all the staff at Douthat State Park.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season ahead!

Photos taken with Sony a6700 (tamron 17-28mm lens)

Visit the Douthat State Park Website here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat

Seabrook Beach, New Hampshire

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Our annual family beach trip typically has us driving to the Outerbanks of North Carolina, however we took a detour from our usual plans. Instead, we went to visit my sister up north and hit the New England beach scene. We were going to Seabrook Beach in southern, New Hampshire. Situated between two very busy beaches (Hampton beach to the north and Salisbury beach to the South), Seabrook Beach spans only a few miles of a sandy, peaceful and residential beach. The drive up there would be around 10.5 hours. Even with our mini-van packed up with surfboard and all, it was a comfortable and easy drive. Leaving early in the morning helps to beat the D.C. traffic out of Richmond.

A road trip through New England would not be complete with stopping in the pizza capital of the U.S. We stopped in New Haven, to enjoy some classic New Haven “apizza”. With the thin crust and minimal amounts of cheese, the kids were big fans. We went to “Modern Apizza”, one of the “Big Three” apizza establishments in New Haven. (Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Modern Apizza and Sally’s Apizza”).

No beach trip is complete without a trip to the local beach store. Catalano’s Market (Seabrook, New Hampshire)

The kids were road warriors. We spent 5 days there soaking in Vitamin D, relaxing, breathing in the salty air, and swimming in the clear, chilly waters. During this time of year (early August), Seabrook waters have reach their peak temperatures which is still a chilly 68 degrees. We went for the full New England coastal experience, diving into local lobster roll excursions and visiting the town of Portsmouth, where the kids enjoyed the boat town vibes, food, sea shell shops, art and of course ice cream.

Far from the beach, rocky shoals created a calming view of white caps and gulls

I really loved the vibes at Seabrook, what you see is what it is. It is a residential area with a view cafes, markets and restaurants, that’s pretty much it. I remember asking a local if there was anything here to see. “The beach is pretty much it!”. Perfect for us, as we just wanted to relax and catch a few waves. The water was very glassy on our last day, and the waves rolled beautifully. The Seabrook beach scene was really what we needed. As much as we love the Outerbanks of North Carolina, it was getting a little hectic there for us, and in some areas, way too overdeveloped.

As with all time near the water, it passed by too quickly. It felt like one beautiful wave of memories. The kids noted it as one of their favorite vacations, so mission accomplished. We hope to come back one day.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy summer.

The Mini Forest – short film by David Hartman

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David Hartman is one of my favorite film makers. Based out of Ontario, Canada, his messages and themes hit close to home for me. His filming style is thoughtful, well-paced, beautiful and a breath of fresh air compared to the overstimulating films and movies of today. I came across “The Mini Forest” and thought I would share. The film speaks to sustainability, growth, and how our individual actions can have profound effects on the earth. It has certainly got me thinking about my own lawn…

“Terrell Wong is about to plant 100 trees in her small Toronto backyard, a dense mini forest based on the Miyawaki Method. What at first seems like a simple act soon evolves into a complex story about dirt, lawns, fungus, wildlife, native species, and finally the human brain. An anti-lawn anthem from director David Hartman, The Mini Forest explores this innovative form of afforestation and the importance of restoring the native woodlands that once covered so much of Canada and the World.”

see more of David Hartman’s work here: https://davidhartman.ca/

Paddle for the North – (Documentary)

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I hope everyone is having a safe and happy holiday season. Things can be especially busy and hectic this time of year so don’t forget to take some chill time, relax, go outside, or watch a canoe documentary. I found this one recently online and it’s pretty awesome. This one features 6 friends who spend 2 months in the Yukon and Peel watershed. Happy Holidays everyone.

“This documentary is a captivating documentary chronicling the 1,500-kilometer, two-month canoeing expedition of six adventurers through the pristine wilderness of Canada’s Yukon and Peel Watershed. This thrilling journey traverses six rivers in three canoes, capturing not only breathtaking landscapes but also the profound cultural and ecological significance of the area. A chance encounter with a First Nations family transforms their adventure into a mission to spotlight the urgent need to protect this fragile and unique ecosystem from industrial development. The film blends the grit of exploration with a heartfelt environmental message, showcasing the resilience of nature and the enduring traditions of those who call the North home.”

Canoeing in the Virginia highlands – Video

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Earth Day 2024, we took our parents on a canoe trip to the Allegheny Highlands of Virginia at Lake Moomaw. My mom had just recovered from an acute cardiac condition known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy. 2 months later she was out paddling with us…we are more than grateful for this time together. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Beach Safety & Trip Planning

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When school lets out, summer has officially begun! For many families, this means more trips to the beach! The ocean is a magical and fun place for all ages and attracts thousands of visitors each year. After countless trips to the beaches of the east coast, I’ve become more attuned to the safety precautions that everyone should be aware of prior to going to the beach, especially with their children. It is estimated that over 4000 people drown each year in the United States. It is estimated that 100 people drown each year due to rip currents along the beaches of the United States. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years and I hope they are helpful to anyone beach tripping on the east coast.

Tropical Storm Ernesto brought swells to Virginia Beach, Virginia. August 2024.
Swell from Hurricane Franklin 2023

CONDITIONS AND TIME OF YEAR

Simply being aware of the time of year and the weather conditions can greatly improve safety. Hurricane season on the east coast runs from June 1 – November 30. During this time, it is important to pay attention to weather updates, as systems and storms can bring significant swells to your beach. if you are considering a water outing and wish to avoid waves altogether, you could always find beaches or water ways that do not face the ocean. (Ex. bays, rivers). In these areas, you could have almost wave-less conditions. Perfect for children to play and explore.

Cape Charles is a beach town in Virginia’s Eastern Shore. It faces the Chesapeake Bay and hence has very calm waters. A good beach spot if you have little ones.
There’s also plenty to see and do in the town of Cape Charles.
Kiptopeke State Park is located on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia’s Eastern shore. The water is much calmer than the ocean front.
Nagshead, Outerbanks. The barrier islands of the Outerbanks in North Carolina, face the ocean so the surf and waves here can be strong, so beware.
The surf can be rough but beautiful to watch in the Outerbanks of North Carolina.

BEACH FLAGS

**If you venture to the beach, you should KNOW the beach flags and what they mean.**

RIP CURRENTS

“Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes.” – National Ocean Service

Unless you know what you are looking for, rip currents are almost invisible.

It is estimated that approximately 100 people are killed each year in the United States by rip currents. So if you’re heading to the beach, just take the next few minutes to learn about them, to protect yourself and your family. The video below provides a great summary of rip currents are.

BEACH SAFETY TIPS

1. Communication and Supervision: For little toddlers and kids that have not yet learn to swim, it is critical that they are supervised closely by an adult. When multiple adults are present, it is easy to assume that the kids are being watched by someone. Practice closed loop communication and assign an adult to a child. You can switch on and off as needed.

2. Life Jackets/Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs): We don’t go near the water without them. Make sure that the life jacket is the appropriate size for the child. Also, you should also see if the life jacket works properly. Ideally, the jacket should keep the child afloat with their face upward, out of the water. Some jackets, are not balanced well, and could dangerously leave the child facing downward. Test it out prior to use.

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD)s for kids are a must.

3. Bring the water to them:

For my toddlers that are not yet ocean worthy, I’ll bring the water to them. Using a simple tarp, you can dig a shallow pool in the sand and fill it with ocean water.

You can make a mini pool in the sand using a tarp.

4. Staying comfortable and hydrated

When the body is comfortable, hydrated and fed, the brain is perfused, and this allows you to think clearly and stay alert. Hydration is important, especially when you are active, sweating and losing a lot of water from the heat. It can be particularly difficult to keep kids hydrated, especially when they are having so much fun. I find that low sugar, flavored drinks can keep them drinking without the need for encouragement. Popsicles are also a good way to keep them hydrated.

A shady base camp on a hot summer day is invaluable. Not only will it keep occupants cooled, but it will also provide shade for your food, drinks and equipment. Over the years we’ve tried all different forms of shelters. From beach umbrellas to cabanas, but so far my favorite has to be the Neso tents for shade. They provide an ample area and are pretty sturdy. Another popular brand is the Shibumi beach shades which have taken all beaches by storm. The Neso can run around $150 and the Shibumis are around $250. Totally worth it, if you’re a frequent beach goer.

The Neso tents provide a large area of shade. They just require a bit of time to set up.

SUMMARY

The beach is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a great way to connect with nature, unwind and engage in countless, fun activities. I hope this helps you to plan your next beach trip, so it can be a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.

Body surfing in swells from Ernesto

Last day of Summer

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I hope everyone had an amazing summer. We closed the season off with a paddle around Swift Creek Lake in Pocahontas State Park. This particular location is one of our favorite spots to paddle with the kids. The water is shallow, there is plenty of wildlife and it is very quiet and peaceful. This is where they learned how to paddle and this is where my son used his homemade canoe paddle for the first time. Thanks for everything summer 2024 you’ve been a great one. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy fall. Load up on your vitamin D before winter!

Eager to use their homemade canoe paddle
Here we go
Looking for water lily blooms
Swift Creek Lake
Chillin in the shade after the paddle
This lake is also where we tested my son’s canoe paddle for the first time many years ago.

North End Virginia Beach

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As summer comes to a close, we head out to the North End of Virginia Beach to spend an easy weekend. This is my preferred beach spot away from the busier boardwalk section of Virginia Beach. There’s not much else up north, other than residential housing and then First Landing State Park at the very northern tip. The weather was very pleasant and we made a lot of good memories. It’s been a hot summer but a grand one nonetheless. I hope everyone is soaking up the vitamin D for as long as we can. It also sounds like the rates of covid are also back up, so stay healthy, be safe and have fun.

A chill weekend get away to the North End of Virginia beach. Filmed on Sony a6700